Must-Have Kitchen Tools That Will Make Kitchen Life Better
Updated: Sep 2
Have You Ever Wondered If Kitchen Tools Are Truly Necessary?
In the kitchen, I like all the gadgets. I would prefer having kitchen tools that can be used for multiple things; however, I've learned that some kitchen tools are truly needed to make things easier and better in the kitchen.
If you've ever canned, made sourdough, or fermented, some of these kitchen tools will look familiar to you.
What Kitchen Equipment Do You Really Need For Canning?
For me, I like to have a canning funnel, lid lifter, jar lifter & a Vitamix on hand for canning. I consider these tools essential; below I have also included whether they are useful for other kitchen crafts.
After 6+ years of replacing my blender every year, I finally decided to splurge on a Vitamix. I found a refurbished one from the Vitamix website. I have never looked back! If you are frequently in the kitchen blending, I highly recommend looking into a Vitamix.
Tool #1 - Canning Funnel
Notes: A multi-purpose kitchen tools (see what I did there - tools!) ! I use this for everything from feeding my sourdough starter to canning. Great anytime I need to measure into a jar.
Useful for: canning, fermenting, sourdough, and anytime I need to put things into a jar.
Tool #2 - Lid Lifter
Notes: While this is mainly for picking up a lid and putting it onto a canning jar, I also like to use it for grabbing my canning rings. It's got a magnet on the end to easily pick up anything metal,
Useful for: Canning - I guess you could it anytime you need to place a lid on a jar but it's really meant for canning.
Tool #3 - Jar Lifter
Notes: It's a 1 purpose tool, but the purpose is one of my essential kitchen tools. It's the only way I know how to safely remove my hot jars from my canner.
Useful for: Canning
Notes: For this one, I highly recommend investing in a Vitamix. I've spent 5 years buying a new blender every year to year and a half and spending between $100-$150 every time. I finally said "no more" and invested in a Vitamix. Best decision I've made. It's great for everything from vanilla paste & smoothies to soups!
Useful for: Canning, grinding herbs into powder, and many recipes
What Kitchen Tools Do You Really Need For Fermenting?
For fermenting, the below are my go-to tools in the kitchen. My preference is the water air locks if I had to choose between the water air lock or silicone air lock. A bench scraper helps keep my cutting board cleaner and makes cleanup after chopping a breeze!
Tool #5 - Water Air Locks
Notes: Water airlocks are something I consider 100% needed for fermenting. I've tried many different airlocks, and most were cumbersome or led to moldy ferments. By using water airlocks, I've not had a single ferment mold.
Useful for: Fermenting, not recommended or needed for sourdough
Tool #6 - Silicone Air Lock
Notes: I used these airlocks for a while and found some of my ferments were moldy. Now I use these air locks as a way to hold down any "floaters" in my ferments. It's one of the best things I've found that works for holding down floaters.
Useful for: Fermenting
Tool #7 - Bench Scraper
Notes: When I saw people using a bench scraper, I always thought that it was more for "chefs", not someone like me. I used one for the first time at a friend's house, and I was sold. A bench scraper has transformed my kitchen life. From cutting my sourdough cinnamon rolls to easily picking up all my chopped items, it's a very useful tool! I also have plastic bench scrapers which work great for gently removing hard-to-get-off foods from my dishes.
Useful for: Canning, Fermenting, Sourdough, and any time I chop in the kitchen
Nice-To-Have Kitchen Tools For Fermenting
It wouldn't feel right to not include some runner-up tools for fermenting in this article. These tools I would consider "skip" until you know you will be fermenting more. If you only try fermenting once, there is no need to get the below from the start.
Tool #1 - Jar Scraper
Notes: Essentially a very long, skinny spatula. Great for getting every last drop out of any jar. One of my favorite kitchen tools.
Useful for: Canning, Fermenting, Sourdough, and any other time I need to scrape a jar!
Tool #2 - Glass Fermentation Weights
Notes: I recommend getting the type that is inset. The inset weights are easier to store since they can be wrapped and stacked. The downside is sometimes liquid from the ferment gets in but can't get out. I still prefer these; I just ensure my ferments cover this weight.
Useful for: Fermenting & Extracts
Tool #3 - Swedish Dishcloth
Notes: Other than being environmentally friendly & great for dishes, a Swedish dishcloth is perfect for any little spills or cleanups I need to do in the kitchen. I also find them great for the "onion hack" - just wet it and place it next to the cutting board when I'm cutting onions and I don't cry! No one wants teary eyes when in the kitchen. I got my Swedish dishcloth from a local refillery, but many places sell them these days.
Useful for: Fermenting, Sourdough, Canning
Tool #4 - Magnets For Repeatable Recipes
Notes: I LOVE my magnetic sticky notes. Being able to write down key things for a recipe like sourdough makes making sourdough more manageable. Now I don't forget what step I'm on, what is next, or what time I did which step! First, I mock up the recipe on the computer, then I write it in permanent marker on the magnet. When I want to make sourdough, I just slap the magnet on the fridge where I can see it.
Useful for: Canning, Fermenting, Sourdough
Tool #5 - Sticky Notes - For Easy Reference/Tagging
Notes: While I love finding recipes online, I prefer physical books. For me, sticky notes make it easy to adjust recipes as needed. Likewise, being able to make a note showing what ingredients I have on hand or need to purchase is also helpful. For me, I take the sticky note of needed ingredients to the store. When I come home those ingredients are kept together along with the sticky note so I don't forget why I bought them in the first place!
Useful for: Canning, Fermenting, Sourdough
Nice-To-Have Kitchen Tools For Sourdough
Notes: Basic loaf pans could be considered essential to some kitchens; for me it's a nice-to-have. These can be used for multiple recipes, including sourdough & chicken bread.
Useful for: Sourdough
Tool #7 - Jumbo Binder Clips
Notes: These may seem like an odd kitchen tool, but stick with me. My friend showed me this hack to keep my loaf pans together when baking sourdough. One pan is flipped upside down on top of the other, and then secured with a binder clip. The plastic doesn't melt even at high (500°F) temps! I was shocked. I recommend using brand-name clips as I haven't tested cheaper alternatives.
Useful for: Sourdough
Tool #8 - Mini Loaf Pan
Notes: These mini loaf pans are great for making tasting loaves of sourdough. Unsure if you will like the flavor of any add-ins to your loaf? Make a small sample size!
Useful for: Sourdough
Nice-To-Have Kitchen Tools For Home Canning
When I can, I use so many towels; I recommend saving old hand or kitchen towels in your canning box so when you can, you know you have towels available to use.
Notes: My goodness, I go through so many towels in the kitchen, especially when canning. I always have a towel down for letting my jars cool as well as a towel for drying my clean hands and a 3rd towel for dirty hands only. On large canning days I've been known to go through 10+ towels in a day!
Useful for: Canning, Fermenting, Sourdough
Final Thoughts On Kitchen Tools
While the nice-to-haves are truly not necessary, they sure make my kitchen life better. If you are just getting started, focus on the recommended kitchen tools list first. Typically, items on my nice-to-have list will have many alternatives or easy hacks online, so it's not a worry to not have these items on hand.
What kitchen tools am I missing from my lists for sourdough, fermenting, and canning? Let's keep the conversation going in the comments.
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